Rudbeckia plant named ‘BullRudi 09’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Rudbeckia plant having a compact growth habit and large, yellow blooms with a greyed-orange center.

Botanical classification: Rudbeckia hirta L.

Varietal denomination: ‘BullRudi 09’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Rudbeckia plant known by the varietal name ‘BullRudi 09’. The new variety was discovered in August of 2014 in Gönnebeck, Germany as the result of a planned breeding program with the purposes of providing Rudbeckia plants with improved growth, more uniformity, a compact growth habit, better branching, attractive foliage, large blooms, and unique flower colors. The new variety is the result of a cross between an unpatented Rudbeckia hirta L. variety having an internal breeder's reference of “Bull Mischung 2013” (female parent) and an unpatented Rudbeckia hirta L. variety having an internal breeder's reference of “Bull Mischung 2013-06” (male parent) from the breeder's own collection. The new variety was first asexually reproduced via in-vitro tissue culture cuttings in Gönnebek, Germany in September of 2014. The new variety is similar to its parental varieties in botanical classification, but exhibits a more compact growth habit, increased branching, and more attractive foliage than both of its parental varieties. Further, ‘BullRudi 09’ exhibits larger flowers than its male parent.

When ‘BullRudi 09’ is compared to Rudbeckia hirta L. variety named ‘Prairie Sun’ (unpatented), ‘BullRudi 09’ is similar to ‘Prairie Sun’ in botanical classification, but ‘BullRudi 09’ exhibits improved plant quality, more uniform growth with increased self-branching, more attractive foliage, and larger blooms that differ in flower color than ‘Prairie Sun’. Further, the following characteristics distinguish ‘BullRudi 09’ when generally compared to other Rudbeckia varieties known to the breeder:

-   -   Large, yellow blooms;     -   Good self-branching;     -   An upright, compact, and uniform growth habit;     -   Healthy, green foliage;     -   Long bloom time; and     -   Ease of growth.         The new variety has been trial and field tested and has been         found to retain its distinctive characteristics and remain true         to type through successive asexual propagations. The present         invention has not been evaluated under all possible         environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary with variations         in environment without a change in the genotype of the plant.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the new variety at 18 weeks of age, with the color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrations of this type:

FIG. 1 shows an entire plant of the new variety; and

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the blooms of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of the new variety as the result of asexual reproductions performed via in vitro tissue culture cuttings carried out in Gönnebeck, Germany. Plants of the new variety were grown outdoors in 21 cm (4 liter) pots under normal field production conditions, and the color readings and measurements were observed outdoors under natural light on 18 week old plants in Gönnebeck, Germany. Color references are primarily to The 2015 R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London, Sixth Edition, except where terms of ordinary significance are used.

PLANT

-   Time to initiate roots: About 7-10 days at approximately 18° C. -   Time to develop roots: About 35-38 days at approximately 16-18° C. -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant from a rooted cutting:     About 11-14 weeks in a 21 cm container. -   Rooting habit: Exhibits numerous roots of medium thickness that are     freely branching and healthy in appearance. -   Plant height: 45.0-60.0 cm. -   Plant width: 30.0-45.0 cm. -   Vigor: Medium, with an upright, compact, and uniform growth habit. -   Disease/pest resistance: Nothing unusual noted to date. -   Temperature tolerance: From −3 to +40° C. -   Drought tolerance: Average. -   Branching habit: Exhibits one dominant strong branch with several     lateral side branches. The lateral branches are upright, forming an     attractive habit. -   Branches (flowering stems):     -   -   Number per plant.—10-25.         -   Length.—12.0-45.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—5.0-10.0 mm.         -   Internode length.—2.0-12.0 cm.         -   Angle.—Upright and outward.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Texture.—Pubescence present.         -   Color.—Close to Yellow-Green Group RHS 144A. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Single.         -   Leaf.—Length: 6.0-22.0 cm. Width: 1.5-12.0 cm. Shape:             Oblanceolate. Apex: Acuminate. Base: Attenuate to acute.             Margin: Dentate and undulate. Texture: Upper surface: Rough,             with pubescence present. Lower surface: Rough, with             pubescence present. Color: Young leaves: Upper surface:             Close to Green Group RHS 137C. Lower surface: Close to Green             Group RHS 137D. Mature leaves: Upper surface: Close to Green             Group RHS 137C to 137B. Lower surface: Close to Green Group             RHS 137D. Petiole: None present. Veins: Venation type:             Pinnate. Color: Upper surface: Close to Yellow-Green Group             RHS 145C. Lower surface: Close to Yellow-Green Group RHS             145A.

INFLORESCENCE

-   Bud:     -   -   Diameter.—2.5-4.0 cm.         -   Length.—2.0-4.5 cm.         -   Color.—Close to Yellow-Green Group RHS 151A. -   Appearance: Elliptic-shaped ray florets and tubular-shaped disc     florets. -   Natural flowering season: Flowering occurs from June-October in     Gönnebeck, Germany, beginning approximately 10-12 weeks after     planting. -   Average number of inflorescences per plant: 10-35. -   Average number of inflorescences per branch: 1-5. -   Disc and ray floret arrangement: Disc florets are arranged in the     middle of the receptacle of the composite, single, freely flowering     plant, with ray florets extending outwardly therefrom. -   Fragrance: Light and sweet. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Diameter.—12.0-15.0 cm.         -   Height (depth).—2.0-4.0 cm.         -   Diameter of disc.—2.5-3.5 cm.         -   Receptacle height.—1.0-1.5 cm.         -   Receptacle diameter.—3.0-7.0 cm. -   Ray florets:     -   -   Number per inflorescence.—14-20.         -   Arrangement.—In one or two whorls.         -   Length.—4.0-7.0 cm.         -   Width.—2.5-3.5 cm.         -   Shape.—Elliptical.         -   Apex.—Emarginate.         -   Base.—Acute.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Upper surface: Smooth and glabrous. Lower surface:             Rough.         -   Color.—When opening: Upper surface: Close to Yellow-Orange             Group RHS 21A. Lower surface: Close to Yellow-Orange Group             RHS 15B, with a shimmer of Yellow-Green Group RHS 144A. At             maturity: Upper surface: Close to Yellow-Orange Group RHS             21A. Lower surface: Close to Yellow-Orange Group RHS 15B,             with a shimmer of Yellow-Green Group RHS 144A. Ground color             description: Close to Yellow-Orange Group RHS 17A.         -   Venation.—Appearance: Parallel. Color: Upper surface: Same             color as the florets. Lower surface: From yellow to light             green. -   Disc florets:     -   -   Number per inflorescence.—Numerous; too many to quantify.         -   Arrangement.—In the center of receptacle.         -   Length.—5.0-10.0 mm.         -   Width.—About 1.0 mm.         -   Shape.—Tubular.         -   Apex.—Five-pointed.         -   Color.—Immature: Close to Green Group RHS 138C to 138B. At             maturity: Close to Greyed-Orange Group RHS 163B. -   Phyllaries:     -   -   Number per inflorescence.—25-40.         -   Arrangement.—In three whorls.         -   Length.—1.0-3.0 cm.         -   Width.—3.0-8.0 mm.         -   Shape.—Lanceolate.         -   Apex.—Elongated oval.         -   Base.—Fused.         -   Margin.—Undulate.         -   Texture.—Upper surface: Rough, with pubescence present.             Lower surface: Rough, with pubescence present.         -   Color.—Immature: Upper surface: Close to Green Group RHS             138A. Lower surface: Close to Green Group RHS 138B. At             maturity: Upper surface: Close to Green Group RHS 138A.             Lower surface: Close to Green Group RHS 138B. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Androecium.—Presence: On ray and disc florets. Number (per             floret): Numerous. Filament length: 1.0-2.0 mm. Filament             color: Yellow — too small to provide an R.H.S. measurement.             Anther: Shape: Oval. Length: 1.0 mm. Color: Greyed-Orange             Group RHS 163B. Pollen: Color: Between Yellow-Orange Group             RHS 16A and 17B. Amount: Plentiful — too much to quantify.         -   Gynoecium.—Presence: In disc florets. Pistil length: About             2.0 mm. Stigma: Shape: Two-parted. Color: Between             Yellow-Orange Group RHS 16A and 17B. Style: Length:             1.0-2.0 mm. Color: Light green — too small to provide an             R.H.S. measurement. -   Seeds:     -   -   Overall size.—Approximately 2.0 mm.         -   Color.—Approximately Black Group RHS 202A. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Rudbeckia plant named ‘BullRudi 09’, as is herein illustrated and described. 